Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1887-09-15
International s. s. Lessons.
GOLDEN PREcEPTs.


GOLDEN PREcEPTs.
Sunday, Sept. III, 1887, Mat. z. I-I2.
The connection Of this part of the
sermon on the Mount is evidently
with the unjust criticism OF his Dis
ciples and the Savior by the Scribes
and Pharisees brought to notice in
previous lessons. Christ in expound-
in the sixth commandment had de-
clared that he who accused his broth
er without cause of being an infidel
or atheist was a murderer at heart
and worthy of everlasting punish
ment. In verses 3, and to make
the presumption of the Scribes and
Pharisees more CONSPICUOUS he made
this inquiry: "And why beholdest
thou the mote that is in thine broth
er's eye, but conslderest not the
beam that is in thine own eye, or how
wilt thou say to thy brother let me
pull out the mote out Of thine eye
and behold beam is in thine own
eye," and added this further con-
demnation: "Thou hypocrite, first
cast out the beam out of thine own
eye and then shalt thou see clearly to
cast out the mote out of thy brothers
eye." That is, learn first to under
stand the law and the prophets and
thou shalt be able to expound them.
At the same time verses / and 2:
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye Judge,
ye shall be judged: and with what
measure ye meet, it shall be measur-
ed to you again." have been looked
upon as golden precepts of wide ap-
plication. OF course it is not to be
supposed that they refer to sentences
authoritively and justly passed upon
such as deserve rebuke, but the Sab
bath School teacher need not hesi-
tate to show that they inculcate the
practice of forbearance and kindness,
and forbid private and sharp criticism
in such self-righteous or retaliatory
spirit, as puts the worst possible
construction on conduct, and not un-
frequently is a mere outburst of fa-
naticism, as injurious to religion as it
is destructive of brotherly affection.
To be on the lookout for something
to find fault with and to take pleasure
in censuring tends to destroy hope
for the kingdom, lessen faith in the
plan of salvation and uproot that
spirit of love that should abound in
all that aim at perfection. But
when more is demanded. than God re-
quires still greater injury is inflicted.
Since all in the church that do not
comply with the standard set up
came to be looked upon by fanatics
and the world as hypocrites.
Verse 6: "Give not that which is
holy unto the dogs neither cast ye
your pearls before swine lest they
trample them under their feet and
turn again and rend you," seems to
contain proverbs of similar import to
those in Pro. 9: 7-S: "He that re-
proveth scorner getteth to himself
shame, and he that reproveth a wick
ed mar getteth himself a blot. Re-
prove not scorner lest he hate thee.
Verse z: "Ask and it shall be
given you: seek and ye shall find
knock and it shall be opened unto
you: for every one that asketh re.
/ ceiveth: and he that seeketh fndeth
and to him that knocketh it shall be
opened" The connection here il
with verses 3 and 4 in which the
admonition had been given to obtair
understanding of revelation before
attempting to expound it. Tht
words ask, seek and knock as here
used form a climax of exhortatior
and assurance that practically means
desire, search for, and persevere un
til the success promised crowns ef
fort after truth.
Verses 9, 10 and IL are additiona
arguments, to apply to God for in
struction based upon his superior
willingness to give good gifts
The rule of conduct which thi
part of the sermon on the Mount In
culcates is thus set forth in verse 12
Therefore all things whatsoever y
would that men should do to you, d.
ye even go to them: for this is th
law and the prophets.
| Our demands upon others are her
declared to be the measure of GU
duty to them. This rule faithful
carried out would be like a doubl
edged sword and cut both ways. ]
would moderate our demands and In
crease respect for the REASONABLE
rights of others. Such precept ha
been previously given in a negativ
form. 'sDon't do that which is disa
greeable to you in others. The Sa
vior, however, was the first tha
taught it positively.
The connection is evidently wit
the exhortation previously given t
refrain from hasty and unjust judg
ment. The precept itself is a sor
first fruit of the promises given thos
that should seek to know what th
law and prophets taught. What a
demand of their neighbors is tbs
their conduct shall benefit rather tha
linjure and those that regulate then
selves by the spirit of that deman
will promote the general welfare. ]
is also spiritual guide-an injune
lion of concern for our neighbor col
responding to the measure Of GU
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